Porsche race cars gather at Quail Lodge: Video

In contrast to the Rennsport Reunion's raucous goings on at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the Race Car Classic at the Quail Lodge took a more serene approach in presenting the first few decades of Porsche racing. It was almost too serene, as the field of roughly 200 cars draped in loose silk car covers that greeted the crowd gave the impression of burying Porsches, not praising them. But things perked up with a group unveiling that revealed an outstanding collection of rare and unique racers, including many from the Porsche Museum and the Collier collection.

VW Passat R-Line introduced

The VW Passat R-Line introduced in the new Passat range But the Passat R-Line (which will be available in both saloon and estate versions) is not really an addition to the Passat range, rather a re-working of the current model options. The Passat Sport and Passat SEL are dropped, and the new range now comprises S, R-Line and Highline. But, just as with the Tiguan R-Line, this is not a power upgrade but merely a cosmetic one.

One Lap of the Web: Mock the Week Edition

-- Mazda Europe designer Peter Birthwhistle talks about the future of Mazda: potential hybrid and electric powertrains for the Skyactiv-obsessed company, and how we'll all be driving Mazda-branded pods in the 22nd century. But he also mentions, rather interestingly, how certain Mazdas capture a quintessentially long-hood, RWD look -- and not just the Miata, either, which is RWD. No, it's the exhaust systems on those Skyactiv engines that force a longer, larger hood compartment, and the "long, flowing looks" not usually found on FWD engines.